Former police deputy superintendent dies

February 03, 2009

John Risley, a former deputy superintendent for the Chicago Police Department who spearheaded the a unit that targeted the city's gangs, died early Tuesday, apparently of a heart attack, police officials said today.

Risley was a 31-year veteran of the department and had risen to the top rank under former Supt. Philip J. Cline before retiring in February 2008 with the incoming of a new police administration.

Former colleagues credit Risley with being a major part of Cline's effort to target crime hot spots in the mid-2000s by created the Targeted Response Unit, which placed officers in different parts of the city daily to quell street violence. Cline relied heavily on Risley's counsel, and the two were very close, the colleagues said.

"I've never met a finer human being," said Hiram Grau, former deputy superintendent of the department who has known Risley for years since the two were gang crime specialists. "He was an extremely conscientious, hardworking and dedicated officer."

Risley worked primarily in gang-focused units for much of his career, having served as a deputy chief of narcotics and gang intelligence before being promoted to deputy superintendent of strategic deployment in 2005.

Before that, Risley worked as the commander of the Central District, the high-profile district that includes the Loop. Colleagues say he was a supremely competent officer, committed to his job and put in long hours while leading as a "quiet gentleman."

"I don't think he ever raised his voice, but he had a way of getting the job done without being overbearing," said Chief of Patrol Michael McCotter, who got to know Risley when they were both district commanders. "When he retired, there was a void. We lost a good man."

As a lieutenant, Risley was seriously injured in 1998 when he was struck by a drunk driver, and spent weeks on a ventilator. McCotter said Risley worked hard to recover, and eventually made it back to the department and on to years of service.

Risley had recently started working at the Merchandise Mart as head of security, former colleagues said.